Paradise Valley mayor eyeing congress seat

Phoenix, AZ – Paradise Valley Mayor Vernor Parker, who had been hoping to oustincumbent Jan Brewer in the GOP primary now is eyeing a seat inCongress. The opportunity was created by the decision last weekby John Shadegg not to seek another two year term in the U.S.House of Representatives. In trying to run for governor, Parkerfound himself in a crowded Republican race that included not onlythe governor but also state Treasurer Dean Martin, former Boardof Regents President John Munger and Northern Arizona businessmanBuz Mills. Parker would not agree to an interview but said in aprepared statement a decision will come within 48 hours. JimHaynes, president of the Behavior Research Center which doespolitical polling, said Parker may have a leg up over otherRepublicans hoping to replace Shadegg in the important area ofgetting donors to open their checkbooks.

(A young, articulate black Republican, when they're in the middleof taking on Barack Obama, strikes me to be something that wouldbe very attractive to them.)

The race to replace Shadegg could prove equally as crowded. ThreeRepublican state legislators already have said they want theseat: senators Pamela Gorman and Jim Waring and staterepresentative Sam Crump. So far the only Democrat in the race inthe heavily Republican district is businessman Jon Hulburd. ForArizona Public Radio this is Howard Fischer.